title: Low-dose ciclosporin, prednisone, and azathioprine after initial immunosuppression with ciclosporin and prednisone in a pediatric renal transplant population.
abstract: The use of a triple therapy regimen after initial immunosuppression with prednisone and ciclosporin in the pediatric age groups has not been described. Twenty-two patients were switched to low-dose ciclosporin, prednisone, and azathioprine due to toxicity, noncompliance, and long-term ciclosporin treatment. The acute rejection rate was 13.5%; one graft was lost to irreversible rejection. No infections occurred. There was no difference in the frequency of return to dialysis in the group converted to triple therapy when compared to a control group remaining on double therapy with prednisone and ciclosporin. The efficacy and safety of changing immunosuppression in the pediatric age group needs to be confirmed in a prospective, randomized fashion.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, Calif.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000187:drug effects*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D003524:Cyclosporins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone